Whether you’re a New Mexico resident or a tourist passing through, it’s a good idea to be informed about crime rates. These could be considered the 10 most dangerous cities in New Mexico based on these rates.

The good news is that overall murder rates in New Mexico have decreased in recent years, going down to 4.8 per 100,000 people—that’s still a hair above the U.S. average of 4.5 murders per 100,000 people. However, the rate of robberies in the state consistently remains below the national average.

That being said, you’re more likely to be a victim of crime in certain places in New Mexico. We’ve drawn data from Home Security Shield, because it ranks cities with populations above 5000, according to violent crime rates. The FBI combines the following offenses into the category of violent crime: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Update: Visit the Roadsnacks Most Dangerous Cities in New Mexico 2022 list for a more recent compilation, as data changes from year to year. Four cities from our list are included, with six that are different, including Gallup as the most dangerous town in New Mexico.

  1. Roswell (population 48,623)

Flickr/Clinton Steeds Both property crime and violent crime are above the national average in Roswell. The chances that you will be a crime victim are 1 in 17.

  1. Hobbs (population 34,543)

Flickr/Chuck Coker 1 in 19 people in Hobbs are victims of crime. And in fact, a notorious perpetrator is now in a Hobbs prison serving time for a crime he committed in a case that was solved thanks to Katie’s Law, which led to a DNA match in the case that had been cold for 14 years!

  1. Albuquerque (population 553,684)

Mel Peffs/Flickr Given that Albuquerque has the highest population in New Mexico, more crimes are going to occur in the city. However, your odds of being a victim are 1 in 16.

  1. Silver City (10,285)

Flickr/Derek Markham One in 1 in 14 people in Silver City fall victim to crime.

  1. Socorro (population 9069)

Flickr/Don Barrett Both violent crime and property crime are more than 30% above the state average. The probability of being a crime victim in Socorro is 1 in 18.

  1. Taos (population 5722)

Flickr/Andy Smith In Taos you have a 1 in 11 chance of falling prey to any form of crime. Those odds are worse than some of the towns and cities further up this list, but the order is based on violent crime. Property crime in Taos is 134% above the state average.

  1. Farmington (population 45,328)

Flickr/teofilo The likelihood that you will be a crime victim is 1 in 19 in Farmington.

  1. Artesia (population 11,389)

Flickr/Chuck Coker Since 2012, overall crime has trended upwards in Artesia. That being said, property crime is down. It is violent crime that’s on the rise. Overall, you have a 1 in 16 chance of being a victim of crime. If you’re driving through, though, you might want to check out Artesia’s bizarre roadside attraction!

  1. Gallup (population 22,365)

Flickr/Marc Cooper Some statistics put Gallup ahead of Detroit in terms of crime! Your odds of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 9.

  1. Española (population 10,329)

Flickr/Mike Lewinski Crime is on the rise in Española and this trend is expected to continue in later years, with a predicted 303 incidents of violent crime. The rate of violent crime per 1000 residents is 26.14. This works out to 1 in 9 people in Española being victims of crime. Some may feel this makes it the worst city in New Mexico, but it is the starting or ending point for one of the most scenic byways in NM.

Are you surprised by any of the most dangerous cities in New Mexico on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments. On the opposite end of the spectrum, here are some of the safest places to live in New Mexico.

Flickr/Clinton Steeds

Both property crime and violent crime are above the national average in Roswell. The chances that you will be a crime victim are 1 in 17.

Flickr/Chuck Coker

1 in 19 people in Hobbs are victims of crime. And in fact, a notorious perpetrator is now in a Hobbs prison serving time for a crime he committed in a case that was solved thanks to Katie’s Law, which led to a DNA match in the case that had been cold for 14 years!

Mel Peffs/Flickr

Given that Albuquerque has the highest population in New Mexico, more crimes are going to occur in the city. However, your odds of being a victim are 1 in 16.

Flickr/Derek Markham

One in 1 in 14 people in Silver City fall victim to crime.

Flickr/Don Barrett

Both violent crime and property crime are more than 30% above the state average. The probability of being a crime victim in Socorro is 1 in 18.

Flickr/Andy Smith

In Taos you have a 1 in 11 chance of falling prey to any form of crime. Those odds are worse than some of the towns and cities further up this list, but the order is based on violent crime. Property crime in Taos is 134% above the state average.

Flickr/teofilo

The likelihood that you will be a crime victim is 1 in 19 in Farmington.

Since 2012, overall crime has trended upwards in Artesia. That being said, property crime is down. It is violent crime that’s on the rise. Overall, you have a 1 in 16 chance of being a victim of crime. If you’re driving through, though, you might want to check out Artesia’s bizarre roadside attraction!

Flickr/Marc Cooper

Some statistics put Gallup ahead of Detroit in terms of crime! Your odds of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 9.

Flickr/Mike Lewinski

Crime is on the rise in Española and this trend is expected to continue in later years, with a predicted 303 incidents of violent crime. The rate of violent crime per 1000 residents is 26.14. This works out to 1 in 9 people in Española being victims of crime. Some may feel this makes it the worst city in New Mexico, but it is the starting or ending point for one of the most scenic byways in NM.

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Address: Roswell, NM, USAAddress: Hobbs, NM, USAAddress: Albuquerque, NM, USAAddress: Silver City, NM 88061, USAAddress: Socorro, NM 87801, USAAddress: Taos, NM 87571, USAAddress: Farmington, NM, USAAddress: Artesia, NM 88210, USAAddress: Gallup, NM, USAAddress: Española, NM, USA

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Dangerous Towns In New Mexico April 30, 2020 Leah What is the worst place to live in New Mexico? After you consider what makes the most dangerous places in New Mexico rank that way, you might also be wondering which town in the state is rated as the worst to live based on both crime rate and other statistics. According to multiple sources, Deming is at the top when it comes to a poor choice in living space. This is due to the high rate of unemployment, low-ranking education statistics, abundant abandoned properties, failing businesses, and a higher-than-average crime rate. It is the poorest town in the entire state, and probably not the most ideal spot to settle down. What is the best place to live in New Mexico? On the contrary, there are many cities and small towns in New Mexico that make absolutely fantastic places to live in. Los Alamos is often considered one of the best. Along with beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley, it has exceptionally low crime rates, a high average income, good education rates, and plenty of things to see and do. Others might say places like White Rock, Corrales, and Hobs are also great options if you’re looking for a place to plant your roots. There are many other spots that make the lists, but it is up to each individual person to decide the niche they fit in the best. Is New Mexico a great place to live? Even though there is crime in New Mexico, it is not alone - all places in the world have some level of crime, and when you look at the bigger picture, the Land of Enchantment ranks fairly well. Certain crime rates are below the national average and there are many scenic, quiet, and lovely towns and cities throughout the state that would be perfect for many people. Plus, New Mexicans enjoy some of the best chile in the world, amazing eats, a rich cultural history, stunning landscapes, and plenty of adventures to be had. There are tons of people who would say this state is a great place to live, and their sentiments ring true.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Dangerous Towns In New Mexico

April 30, 2020

Leah

What is the worst place to live in New Mexico? After you consider what makes the most dangerous places in New Mexico rank that way, you might also be wondering which town in the state is rated as the worst to live based on both crime rate and other statistics. According to multiple sources, Deming is at the top when it comes to a poor choice in living space. This is due to the high rate of unemployment, low-ranking education statistics, abundant abandoned properties, failing businesses, and a higher-than-average crime rate. It is the poorest town in the entire state, and probably not the most ideal spot to settle down. What is the best place to live in New Mexico? On the contrary, there are many cities and small towns in New Mexico that make absolutely fantastic places to live in. Los Alamos is often considered one of the best. Along with beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley, it has exceptionally low crime rates, a high average income, good education rates, and plenty of things to see and do. Others might say places like White Rock, Corrales, and Hobs are also great options if you’re looking for a place to plant your roots. There are many other spots that make the lists, but it is up to each individual person to decide the niche they fit in the best. Is New Mexico a great place to live? Even though there is crime in New Mexico, it is not alone - all places in the world have some level of crime, and when you look at the bigger picture, the Land of Enchantment ranks fairly well. Certain crime rates are below the national average and there are many scenic, quiet, and lovely towns and cities throughout the state that would be perfect for many people. Plus, New Mexicans enjoy some of the best chile in the world, amazing eats, a rich cultural history, stunning landscapes, and plenty of adventures to be had. There are tons of people who would say this state is a great place to live, and their sentiments ring true.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

After you consider what makes the most dangerous places in New Mexico rank that way, you might also be wondering which town in the state is rated as the worst to live based on both crime rate and other statistics. According to multiple sources, Deming is at the top when it comes to a poor choice in living space. This is due to the high rate of unemployment, low-ranking education statistics, abundant abandoned properties, failing businesses, and a higher-than-average crime rate. It is the poorest town in the entire state, and probably not the most ideal spot to settle down.

What is the best place to live in New Mexico?

On the contrary, there are many cities and small towns in New Mexico that make absolutely fantastic places to live in. Los Alamos is often considered one of the best. Along with beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley, it has exceptionally low crime rates, a high average income, good education rates, and plenty of things to see and do. Others might say places like White Rock, Corrales, and Hobs are also great options if you’re looking for a place to plant your roots. There are many other spots that make the lists, but it is up to each individual person to decide the niche they fit in the best.

Is New Mexico a great place to live?

Even though there is crime in New Mexico, it is not alone - all places in the world have some level of crime, and when you look at the bigger picture, the Land of Enchantment ranks fairly well. Certain crime rates are below the national average and there are many scenic, quiet, and lovely towns and cities throughout the state that would be perfect for many people. Plus, New Mexicans enjoy some of the best chile in the world, amazing eats, a rich cultural history, stunning landscapes, and plenty of adventures to be had. There are tons of people who would say this state is a great place to live, and their sentiments ring true.